Michaela DePrince Passes Away at Age of 29
One of the most elegant and highly regarded ballerinas and who broke barriers thanks to her art Michaela DePrince is no more.
She passed away aged just 29. This is the extraordinary story of Michaela’s life who went from an orphan to the world stage of ballet.
Michaela DePrince: Early Life
Being a Sierra Leonean given the name Mabinty Bangura, her childhood was abruptly cut short by the civil war which took the life of both her parents.
At a mere three years old, she was placed in an orphange where she received violence and mistreatment instead of care.
Having been afflicted with a skin disease known as vitiligo isolation outcast her.
In the orphanage, she was regarded as the most unpopular child, a veritable floor mat.
Despite the horrific experience of growing up where she did, DePrince realized there was still something better when she came across a picture of a ballerina.
That picture ignited a love for ballet hence changing her life forever.
Michaela DePrince – the Beginnings of a Ballet Career
DePrince was only four when she got adopted to an American home.
Her love for ballet only increased. That is until she reached an age and became a victim of racism.
She was annoyed, that ballet was not ready for a colored ballerina and who is forever being rejected. But she wouldn’t allow it to take her down.
At 17, Michaela DePrince started garnering interest appear in the documentary First Position. The movie captured her amazing talent.
She later went on to become the most junior principal dancer at the Dance Theatre of Harlem.
Michaela DePrince’s Contribution Towards the Integration of Ballet
Intern she also worked with two of the top Ballet companies the Dutch National Ballet and The Boston Ballet.
She even had a cameo in two of Beyonce’s songs including the song Lemonade.
Throughout her life, DePrince spoke for extending the outreach of Ballet.
Se was very active in discussing the experiences of Black dancers in that respect.
More diversity within people was encouraged, and without feeling afraid of consequences, she said, asked DePrince, I am hoping for even more daffodils, as well as flowers of a different colors.
“More poppies in a field of daffodils. ”
Humanitarian Activities by Michaela DePrince
Nonetheless, Michaela DePrince remains in mind a starving child she used to be. As for Michaela, she went on into humanitarian work, working for the welfare of children in war-prone nations.
She aimed to establish a dance school and an art center in Sierra Leone so that poor kids can also experience the same bliss and determination that ballet instilled in her.
Strength with compassion
Even though Michaela DePrince has departed from this world, the world of ballet may miss her, yet the world has not witnessed the last of her.
It is a story of the fact that no matter how rough the condition may be, one can overcome all the impossible odds to scale the heights of success.
Instead of flowers, the family wishes that friends and relatives donate to War Child, which rescues children abused by war, which fulfilled DePrince’s request.
Michaela DePrince is not just a story of achieving success; it is also a story of breaking ceilings, making a difference, and helping those in need.
The impact she created within, as well as beyond, the walls of the ballet world, will ensure her legacy lives on.
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